Hulen Lee Howell

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information CDR Number: 23-759-UF Version Type: AMENDED Report Date: 1/10/2024 1:17 PM Status: Submitted Agency/Facility Information Wortham Police Agency Name: Agency Address: PO BOX 186 Dept. Agency City: Wortham Agency State: TX Agency Zip: 76693 Director Information Director Salutation: Chief Director First Name: Kelly Director Middle Name: P Director Last Name: Butler Reporter Name: Kelly Butler Reporter Email: [email protected] Decedent Information Identity of Deceased Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- First Name: Hulen Middle Name: Lee Last Name: Howell Suffix: Date of Birth: 9/27/1934 Sex: Male Race: Anglo or White Age At Time Of Death: 88 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 6/23/2023 6:45 PM Incident: Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Death Date and Time: 6/23/2023 6:45 PM Manner / Cause of Death Has a medical examiner or coroner conducted an evaluation to determine a cause of death? Medical Examiner/Coroner Yes, results are Evaluation?: available What was the manner of death? (select only one) Homicide (includes Manner of Death: Justifiable Homicide) Custodial Death Report :: Page 2 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Medical Cause of Death: Medical Cause of Death: Based on the case history and autopsy findings, it is my opinion that Hulen Lee Howell, an 88-year-old male, died as the result of multiple firearm wounds. Had the decedent been receiving treatment for the medical condition that caused the death after admission to your jail's jurisdiction? Medical Treatment: No If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, who caused the death? Law Who caused the death?: enforcement/correctional personnel If a weapon caused the death, what type of weapon caused the death? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Type of weapon that caused Handgun; death?: Rifle/shotgun Was the cause of death the result of a pre-existing medical condition or did the decedent develop the condition after admission? Not Applicable; cause of death was Pre existing medical accidental injury, condition?: intoxication, suicide or homicide If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, what was the means of death? Means of Death: Firearm Location / Custody Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 3 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Where did the event causing the death occur? Street Address: 1463 FM 80 N City: Streetman County: Freestone Zip: 75859 What location category best describes where the event causing the death occurred? Location Category: Residence/Home What type of custody/facility was the Decedent in at the time of death: Pre-Custodial Use Type of Custody: of Force Specific type of custody/facility: Specific Type of Custody/Facility: N/A What was the time and date of the deceased's entry into the law enforcement facility where the death occurred (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Entry Date Time: Entry Date Time N/A: Where did the death occur? Death Location: Elsewhere, specify Death Location Elsewhere: Deceased residence Custodial Death Report :: Page 4 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- General Information Did any other law enforcement agencies respond to calls for service related to this incident? Other Agencies Respond?: Yes What were the most serious offense(s) with which the deceased was (or would have been) charged with at the time of death? Offense 1: AGG ASSLT MV DISCH FRARM RKLS HAB/BLDG/VEH SBI Offense 2: AGG ASSAULT W/DEADLY WEAPON Offense 3: Not filed at time of Were the Charges:: death What were the types of charges or reason for contact? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Violent Crime Type of Offense: Against Persons At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent display or use a weapon? Decedent display/use of Yes, mark all that weapons: apply Displayed firearm Decedent Display or Use without discharge; Weapon Details: Discharged firearm At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Custodial Death Report :: Page 5 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Attempt to Injure Others?: Yes (select all that apply) Attempted to injure law enforcement personnel; Injured Ways Decedent Attempted To civilian(s) or other Injure Others: inmate(s); Attempted to injure civilian(s) or other inmate(s) At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Appear intoxicated (alcohol or No Make suicidal statements?: No drugs): Exhibit any mental health Unknown Exhibit any medical problems?: Unknown problems?: At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Barricade self or initiate Resist being handcuffed or No No standoff?: arrested?: Physically attempt/assault Gain possession of officer's Yes No officer(s): weapon: Verbally threaten other(s) Escape or attempt to No No including law: escape/flee custody: Attempt gain possession No officer's weapon: Was the deceased under restraint in the time leading up to the death or the events causing the death? Under Restraint: No Summary of Incident Summary of How the Death Occurred: (max. 30,000 characters) Summary: Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- On Friday 06/23/2023 the Wortham Police Department responded to a shooting incident at 405 E Lubbock St. in Streetman Texas. The Wortham Police Department has an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Streetman to provide Law Enforcement services. As a result of the shooting at 405 E Lubbock, that was a drive by shooting, there was one gunshot victim that was transported to the hospital. The gunshot victim had been shot in the upper right arm with a small caliber weapon. There were multiple bullet holes in the residence as the owner was shot at as he was running back into the house. During the investigation and reviewing a neighbors security video we were able to identify the suspect as Hulen Howell. The Freestone County Sheriff's Office was also assisting with this incident and investigation because Mr. Howell lived outside the City of Streetman in Freestone County. A search warrant for Mr. Howell's home and an arrest warrant were issued for Mr. Howell and Officers with the Wortham Police Department and Deputies with the Freestone County Sheriff's Office went to Mr. Howell's residence located at 1463 FM 80 N to attempt to serve those warrants. Upon arrival we positioned ourselves at the entrance to the property as a safety precaution due to the lack of cover around the house. We attempted to contact Mr. Howell by phone and were able to speak to him. He was asked to come out of the house to speak with us. Mr. Howell exited the house but attempts to communicate with him from the distance we were was not working. We were not communicating with him on the phone as he did not have a cell phone. Officers approached the house to better communicate with him. As officers were attempting to speak with Mr. Howell about what they were there for Mr. Howell pulled a small caliber handgun from his pocket. Officers attempted to take cover around the corner of the house while giving commands to Mr. Howell to drop the gun, and that they did not want to hurt him. Mr. Howell began walking toward officers and moved to where he could see officers and they no longer had cover. Mr. Howell then raised the handgun in the direction of officers and Mr. Howell was struck by several bullets. Officers attempted to provide medical attention to Mr. Howell but it was apparent by the injuries and the lack of a pulse that Mr. Howell was deceased. Custodial Death Report :: Page 7 of 7